Body - Difficult to Latch Lower Tailgate
No: 76/13/05/NASFGN LM501-03
Ref:
Issue: 1
Date: 07 July 2005
Difficulty Latching Lower Tailgate
AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
New Range Rover (LM) All
SITUATION:
DIFFICULTY LATCHING LOWER TAILGATE
A customer may complain that it is difficult to latch the lower tailgate on one or both sides of the vehicle. The failure of the lower tailgate to latch to operate properly may be due to slight distortion of the latch mechanism caused by minor unevenness of the mounting surface. The complaint may not be evident immediately and may appear after some period of use.
RESOLUTION:
INSPECT FOR LATCH RESISTANCE AND SPACE LATCH AWAY FROM BODY
Should a customer complain about difficulty latching the lower tailgate, the manual latch release lever should be operated on both sides of the lower tailgate to check for noticeable resistance. When resistance is confirmed insert washers under each latch to prevent latch distortion from an uneven mounting surface.
NOTE:
Latch distortion, and resistance during operation can be repaired using the process in this bulletin. The latch should not be replaced to address this concern.
PARTS INFORMATION:
WA108051L Washer, 8 mm Qty 4 Ordered in quantity pack of 50
DDW WARRANTY CLAIMS:
NOTE:
Repair procedures are under constant review, and therefore times are subject to change; those quoted here must be taken as guidance only. Always refer to DDW to obtain the latest repair time.
NOTE:
Land Rover part number WA108051L is a package containing 50 washers. This service procedure requires only 4 washers. Only a 12.5 % proportion of the Retail value of the package WA108051L may be claimed against Warranty Claim Code ZZZ001. Any claims for a greater portion of the value will be subject to warranty audit. will be subject to warranty audit.
DDW requires the use of causal part numbers. Labor only claims must show the causal part number with a quantity of zero.
Normal warranty policy and procedures apply.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
VERIFY LATCH OPERATION AND INSTALL WASHERS
1. Shut the lower tailgate and determine whether the LH or RH latch assembly is failing to latch.
2. Open the lower tailgate.
NOTE:
Manual operation of the release lever will indicate resistance during the unlatching motion. The sticking of the mechanism is a result of slight distortion of the latch internal components. There is no need to replace the latch to resolve this complaint.
3. Operate the manual release lever of the suspect latch to verify increased resistance. (Figure 1)
NOTE:
GTR lookup sequence is as follows:
GTR Home > NAS > Service Information/ LM New Range Rover/2005 > Workshop Manuals > Service Procedures > Bookmark "76-1 Doors" > Link "76.37.83 Latch outer-tail gate"
4. Refer to GTR Workshop Manual section 76.37.83 and remove the latch from the lower tailgate. (Figure 2)
5. Place a washer (WA108051L) on each of the latch retaining bolts. (Figure 3)
6. Refer to GTR Workshop Manual section 76.37.83 and install the latch to the lower tailgate with the washers between the latch and the tailgate surface. (Figure 4)NOTE: The washer installation will prevent any mounting surface irregularity from distorting the latch internals by creating a slight gap between latch and lower tailgate surface. (Figure 4)
7. Close lower tailgate and confirm correct latch operation.
8. Perform steps 4 through to 7 for the alternate side lower tailgate latch to ensure correct operation of both latches.
Disclaimer